In 2007, I incorporated a non-profit organization to promote women musicians, globally. It took 17 years to gather the women to promote. They each became members of the organization and some contributed songs to our 8 compilation CDs, or stories in our annual publications www.musicwomenmagazine.com and www.musicmanmagazine.com
Tonight, I realized that the deed is done. Congratulations to me!
In light of the recent outbursts by actresses Monique, Viola Davis, and Taraji P. Henson, I am posting this message from ChatGPT. In 2024, women of color need to continue this discussion and come up with some viable solutions.
Why are women of color so undervalued? [ChatGPT]
The undervaluing of women of color is a complex issue with roots in historical, social, economic, and cultural factors. It is crucial to recognize that the experiences of women of color are diverse and intersectional, shaped by the intersections of gender, race, ethnicity, class, and other factors. Here are several contributing factors to the undervaluing of women of color:
Intersectionality: Women of color often face intersectional discrimination, where multiple aspects of their identity, such as race, gender, and sometimes socioeconomic status, intersect to create unique and compounded challenges.
Historical Oppression: Historical patterns of colonization, slavery, and systemic racism have had enduring effects on communities of color. These historical injustices have contributed to disparities in economic opportunities, education, and representation.
Stereotypes and Bias: Stereotypes and biases based on race and gender contribute to the undervaluing of women of color. Prejudices may influence perceptions in various areas, including the workplace, education, and the media.
Systemic Inequality: Systemic structures and institutions may perpetuate inequalities. This can include discriminatory policies, lack of representation in decision-making roles, and unequal access to resources.
Limited Representation: In media, literature, and other cultural outlets, representation of women of color has historically been limited or portrayed through narrow and often stereotypical lenses, reinforcing harmful narratives.
Economic Disparities: Women of color may face wage gaps, limited access to economic opportunities, and disparities in wealth accumulation, making financial independence more challenging.
Educational Barriers: Disparities in educational opportunities, including unequal access to quality education and resources, can limit the advancement of women of color in various fields.
Microaggressions and Discrimination: Microaggressions, everyday instances of subtle or overt discrimination, can negatively impact the mental and emotional well-being of women of color, contributing to their undervaluation.
Addressing these issues requires a multifaceted approach that involves dismantling systemic inequalities, challenging stereotypes, promoting diversity and inclusion, and advocating for policies that address the specific needs and challenges faced by women of color. Conversations around equity, representation, and social justice are essential in fostering a more inclusive and just society.
Most women of African descent have experienced this inequitable phenomenon in the Americas and Europe. Now is the time for this maltreatment to END. Women of color have given everything they have to their families, husbands, children, employers, and the world. Blues women brought music to the world, and it was usurped and capitalized on by mostly white men who play guitars. For instance, why are the Rolling Stones worth $1.45 Billion, while Big Mama Thornton, from whom they got the Blues, was only worth $16 Million upon her death in 1987, at 54?
Women of color need a solution to this problem. NOW! Abstaining from your art is not the solution. Perhaps, joining hands with other women of color and continuing this conversation may bring to light the disturbing phenomenon.
Meanwhile, at http://www.wijsf.org we promote women musicians who are mostly obscure in the male-dominated, white-dominated music industry. We have 433 members, 277 musicians, and 76 men who support our mission.
The eight points made by ChatGPT, above, need to be addressed by governments and corporations that fund the arts. However, it will take the continuous outcry from women writers, actors, musicians, and entrepreneurs to fix this problem.
What can you do to help women of color to be seen as more valuable?
The beauty of matter is that it can be revived, revised, reevaluated, renovated, and reinvented. In seven and a half decades, it has been my experience that you can reinvent yourself in many different ways. For instance, I was a student, until I became a mother and a wife at 16. That was my journey, until I became a professional performer. Although I remained a mother and became a wife to three other men, music usurped my time, energy, and convictions. By 40, I was only concentrating on being a musician. I got to tour the world, bringing songs of love, light, and promise to masses of people. However, learning was still in the mix.
At 43, I accepted my Master’s degree in Communication. However, I was weary of studying and writing, so I took off and running to Switzerland, where I concentrated on meditation and music. I met new friends, who offered me new experiences. For eight years, that was all I did.
Upon returning home, I focused on my fourth marriage, which lasted only four years. During that time, I learned about the Internet, designing websites, and uploading photos and music from my past experiences. I went from MySpace to my own website that took a lot of time to build with HTML coding. [http://fyicomminc.com]. I built websites for other artists, authors, and entrepreneurs, earning money to live on.
From jazz clubs, concert halls, school programs, and community events to yacht parties, weddings, and cruise ships, I sang, I sang, I sang, until I couldn’t sing anymore. I visited places that had been posted on my dream board since 1983. I worked with musicians in Mexico, South Africa, Ghana, and 8 European countries. I recorded on four CDs, wrote 14 books, taught numerous college courses, and established a global organization to promote women musicians from 27 states and 21 countries. http://wijsf.org
Yet, I am still in the game. As long as I have breath in my body, I will eat, love, work, and play. I love meeting new people. Here are some of my most recent friends. Life is about loving yourself and others. Stay relevant by reinventing your circle of friends!
The trains made travel in Europe a pleasant adventure. Most notable are the trains in Switzerland that are first class, even in second class. Travel through Switzerland opened my mind to possibilities. People built their homes high up in the Alps. It is a tremendous feat in my mind.
From the train from Montreux to Lausanne, Switzerland in 2021
While my Florida friends are hyperventilating, I’m sitting in a cool office at the back of our apartment in Atlanta, shrouded by eight tall pine trees, in the shade. It’s actually chilly and comfortable to work in. There’s the sound of traffic – motorcycles, highway traffic, and people. But the still and quiet prevail. Midsummer, I am teaching graphic design and desktop publishing at SNHU, tweaking grant proposals, and listening to podcasts about health, AI, culture, politics, and religion. Just now, the question I heard was, “How will AI overtake my job as a professor?“
At this point in my life, I’m convinced that most students don’t read, write, or construct any new art. They plagiarize and copy photos into their designs without a thought to being original. Some of them put forth the effort to create and their designs make me smile.
Several friends are born this month. So, Leos are in my circle. One grandchild is born on August 20. She’s a kitten evolving onto a woman. She is my daughter’s daughter and we are three of a kind!
Happy Birthday Muki, Tez, Lydia, and Sherry! May all of your dreams come true!
As a descendant of a man born in the Bahamas, on an island 400 miles out in the Atlantic Ocean, it’s been difficult to identify many of my relatives. At 75 and 1/2, I met two women at the Atlanta Urban Tasting on June 21, 2023. That was the first day of summer and it’s been heating up ever since.
Uriah Theophilus Cartwright (May 7, 1919 – June 29, 2018) was born on Long Island, Bahamas, to Christopher Cartwright and Mary Deal Cartwright. The history of this island entails the mixing of Taino, African, and European people. The family names include Cartwright, Deal, Fox, Knowles, Sims, Turnquest, Glinton, Major, and several other nomenclature from the United Kingdom. The European men took their turn at producing children with native and imported women. My great grandfather, Richard Cartwright was the governor of the island for some time. He was known for drinking up the wealth of the family up, while fathering 36 children. That would equate to over 500 cousins as my mother would pronounce, regularly. [Photos: Carlton G. Cartwright].
The product of my grandfather’s shenanigans was a horde of beautiful people. Some look like they are Indian, some look Italian, some look Asian, everything is in there. So, it’s time for a family reunion.
Every photo of every person has a story. So, I’m starting here, and hope to finish with a beautiful Family Reunion on Long Island, Bahamas, at my cousins motel, Sam’s Place, in Sims.
On Long Island, Bahamas, Mary Jane Deal married Christopher Cartwright, the son of Governor Richard Cartwright, son of William England Cartwright, Sr. Chris was one of 36 children fathered by Richard. He was one of the four eldest brothers, according to my father Uriah. Mary and Chris had five sons, Garfield, Carl, Uriah (or Nat), Forrest, and Nathaniel. The two younger brothers died before the age of 10. Gary, Carl, and Nat moved to New York City, when Nat was only 16.
Nat met Charlotte Shirley Galloway in the Army, in Arizona. They were deployed to Europe. Nat went to Italy and Charlotte went to Belgium. Nat was injured by shrapnel, just before shipping back to the states. He won a Purple Heart for his injury and a Crown Medal for saving someone’s life. They came back to the states and lived in Philadelphia with Charlotte’s mother Harriet Maude Logan Galloway, until they moved to The Bronx, New York. When their first child, Joan Renee Cartwright was three, in 1951, they moved to a house in South Ozone Park, Jamaica, Queens, on Long Island, New York. Coincidence? I don’t think so.
On August 9, 1964, Joan married Peter Joseph Serrano from Puerto Rico, who lived in the Bronx. They had two children, Michael Joseph Serrano (b. 1/22/1964), and Michelle (Mimi) Johnson (b. 12/23/1965). Joan’s offspring produced five grandchildren and six great grandchildren (plus three beautiful girls from my grandson Robert’s wife Tyfanni, whom she adores!)
If a rainy day in March is required to appreciate the sunshine, I will accept being out in one. That happened on Friday, so, I’m set for the rest of the year. I was at the High Museum on a cold, drizzly day for the Jazz.
Now, the day before and the day after were so sunny! But the day I had to go out was rainy. Is that a choice or just my ignorance about the weather report? The concert was crowded and no seats were to be found, until some people left. The trio was pianist Madoka Oshima, Chris Burroughs on drums, and Craig Shaw on bass. The one thing I can say about this place is that it is not user-friendly for seniors and the disabled. I suppose now is the time to refrain from going to large, sprawling buildings like this. Aging is not for punks but most large, municipal buildings are not welcoming to seniors.
Dr. Diva JC - Scholar . Teacher . Author 